$25 million PTP2 launched: Eradication of terrorism government's top priority: Ijaz Shah

Interior Minister Brigadier Ijaz Ahmed Shah (retd) on Friday said that eradication of terrorism is the top most priority of the present government but its complete eradication is not possible without raising awareness among public about the menace.

Shah said this while addressing the launch of four years long Pakistan's Terrorism Prevention Programme (PTP2), worth $25 million, which is a partnership between the Ministry of Interior and the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

He said that unless there is awareness of terrorism in society, it is not possible to eliminate it; therefore, the UNODC needs to spend some portion of this fund over awareness and education of people. "Education of society is very important for prevention of any kind of crime and terrorism," he said.

He said, "Until and unless you motivate the society, it is not possible for the government to eliminate terrorism. Some fund of the project must also be spent over the rehabilitation of affected people."

He also said that improvement of criminal justice system is mandatory for elimination of terrorism. The minister said that there is a difference between terrorism and crime. When the society does not do justice then crime takes place, he said, adding that terrorism needs a lot of money.

Additional Secretary Interior Fakhar Alam said that Pakistan's terrorism prevention programme was developed after holding comprehensive consultation with relevant stakeholders at Center and provincial level. During the implementation of the programme, support will be delivered to all provinces for enhancing capacity of criminal justice officials including personnel of law enforcement agencies, prosecution and judiciary, he said.

Alam said that the programme included imparting training to investigators and prosecution for countering financing of terrorism. The programme would encourage provinces to adopt new technology for countering terrorism, he said, adding it will also enhance information sharing and coordination among the stakeholders.

He said that the Ministry of Interior has developed comprehensive counter terrorism strategy under the framework of the National Action Plan (NAP) and National Internal Security Policy, which is presently being implemented successfully with the coordination of other provincial and federal entities.

Mustafa Joya, another senior official of Interior Ministry, said the programme will address five thematic areas including providing support to Pakistan's investigative and judicial institutions towards more effective counterterrorism criminal justice process, projection and assistance to victims of terrorism, engagement of youth and the community in prevention and countering of violence and extremism, and promoting international cooperation towards counter terrorism.

Dr Jeremy Milsom, Country Representative of UNODC, speaking on the occasion said, "We have come a long way since the initial discussion on this program. The UNODC has mandate to provide technical assistance for preventing and countering terrorism."

Masood Karimipour, Chief Terrorism Prevention Branch UNODC, said, "I am very grateful to the Government of Pakistan for working together with UNODC in developing this programme, which further strengthens our collaboration in the implementation of the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy."